New York State Democratic Committee

The New York State Democratic Committee is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the state of New York. The New York Democratic Party was one of the most powerful branches of the Democratic Party after its establishment, controlling the state through machine politics. During the 1840s, the party was divided between the liberal and abolitionist "Barnburners" and the conservative "Hunkers"; in 1848, the Barnburners left the party to support the Free Soil Party, and the Hunkers were divided over whether to allow the Barnburners back into the party. The Democrats used a patronage system to grant jobs in exchange for political favors, and they had infamous political machines in Albany and New York City, the latter of which was home to Tammany Hall. Due to the national Democratic Party's opposition to the abolition of slavery and its support for Catholic immigration, many Irish, German, Polish, and other European immigrants supported the state Democrats. These immigrants were concerned that the emancipation of African-American slaves would lead to competition for low-paying jobs, and Catholic immigrants and their descendants were almost exclusively Democrats until the 1960s.

The Democrats and their New York Republican State Committee rivals alternated in power over the governorship for decades. During the early 1900s, Democratic county leaders and Mayors of New York City clashed over control of the party, as they fought over control of patronage jobs and statewide appointments. In 1964, when Robert F. Kennedy was elected to the US Senate, he managed to briefly unite the state Democrats, but this unity was shattered by his assassination in 1968. Following the Watergate scandal of 1974, the Democrats saw a resurgence, holding the State Assembly for scores of years, while the Republicans retained control of the State Senate. By the 21st century, New York was a solid "blue state".